Radish for forcing Faraon

Raphanus sativus - Faraon

Radish is a root vegetable originating from Japan. It is characterized by its distinctive taste and is undemanding to grow. Its piquant flavor comes from mustard oil. Radishes contain large amounts of vitamin C and folic acid. They also contain calcium, sulfur, carotene, potassium, and vitamin B. Moreover, they are suitable for diets because they contain minimal fat. They are very popular in the kitchen. They are best when consumed fresh, for example in salads or spreads.

How to Grow Radishes

• For early sowing in open ground, it is advisable to choose sunny locations, while for summer cultivation, rather shaded spots. We water radishes in the morning and evening. To prevent bulb cracking, it is advisable to limit soil moisture fluctuations through watering. During the growing season, we remove weeds from radish beds and carefully hoe around them.

• Spring sowing in beds is carried out as soon as the soil dries. We sow in rows 15-20 cm apart and to a depth of 1 cm. After emergence and formation of cotyledon leaves, we thin to 3-4 cm spacing.

  Radishes can be pre-cultivated in a warm greenhouse or hotbed from February. In this case, we sow in rows approximately 10 cm apart. After emergence, we also thin the plants.

• For growing radishes, permeable, lighter to medium-heavy, deeply worked soil that is rich in humus and has sufficient soil moisture is suitable.

• We do not fertilize radishes with farmyard manure. They would accumulate nitrates, which are dangerous for the human body. We do not fertilize radishes during the growing season. It is advisable to use them as a pre-crop.

• In overcrowded sowings, there is a risk of attack by the fungal disease of seedling necks known as damping-off. The affected neck turns brown and the plants die. We establish sparse sowing and maintain only moderate moisture.

  Bulb cracking is related to irregular watering, which develops, for example, during rainfall after a prolonged period of drought.

  Root flies, whose larvae create tunnels in root heads, are a significant pest of radishes. Non-woven fabric will prevent root fly females from laying eggs on radish root necks. For chemical protection, Sumithion Super is suitable. Regular watering also prevents attack by flea beetles, which nibble on leaves.

• We harvest radishes as needed, when they are ripe. Ripeness is determined by the size of the bulb.